An extraordinary parliamentary session proposed by the opposition Smer party in order to select the next general prosecutor will not take place after parliament rejected the idea during a session on Wednesday, February 2.
Only 67 of the 146 MPs present voted in favour of the session. The opposition demonstrated its dissatisfaction with the decision by unfurling three banners with statements allegedly made by coalition MPs concerning the prepared introduction of an open vote to select the general prosecutor: “I’ll support an open vote if there is an agreement broader than within the coalition”, attributed to Radoslav Procházka of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH); “A secret vote should be proper, dignified and, most of all, undisputed”, attributed to Prime Minister Iveta Radičová of the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ); and “We view the secret vote as an achievement of the Velvet Revolution”, attributed to Peter Osuský of Most-Híd.
Speaker of parliament Richard Sulík (Freedom and Solidarity (SaS)) announced a break when the banners were displayed “so that the opposition can present itself in a democratic manner”, TASR quoted him as saying. Smer wanted Sulík to take action to ensure that a secret vote to select the general prosecutor could be held during the February session.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
